Permanent magnet roll



March 10, 1970 w w MOJDEN ETAL PERMANENT MAGNET ROLL Original Filed Oct. 22. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 March 10, 1970 w. w. MOJDEN ETAL PERMANENT MAGNET ROLL Original Filed Oct. 22. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet z United States Patent 3,499,199 PERMANENT MAGNET ROLL Wallace W. Mojden, Palos Heights, and Norman .1. Chivas,

Naperville, Ill., assignors to'Fleetwood Systems, Inc.,

La Grange, lll., a corporation of Illinois Continuation of application Ser. No. 501,927, Oct. 22,

1965. This application June 12, 1968, Ser. No. 739,901

- Int. Cl. BZlb 27/02 U.S. Cl. 29--121 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A permanent magnet roll for a conveyer including a first pair of flange members of magnetizable material mounted on a rotatable shaft and axially spaced from each other thereon. Permanent magnets located intermediate the first flange members serve to magnetize the last-mentioned flange members as well as a second pair of flange members of magnetizable material, also located intermediate the first pair of flange members. Magnetic shields are located between a flange member of the first and second pairs respectively, so as to concentrate the magnetic field emanating from the permanent magnets. The first pair of flange members, while being longitudinally adjustable on the shaft, are also selectively adjustable so as to position first predeterminedly shaped surfaces thereof inwardly toward each other to convey therebetween articles of a first size and to position second predeterminedly shaped surfaces thereof inwardly toward each other to convey therebetween articles of a second size.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 501,927 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a conveyer mechanism and more particularly to a conveyer system utilizing a permanent magnet roll.

In conveyer systems which handle metal objects, a magnetic roll may be utilized to convey the metal objects. As disclosed in my previously obtained Patent No. 3,165,210, a magnetic roll may be advantageously utilized in a conveyer system for conveying can ends from one location to another. It is also a common practice to utilize a magnetic roll when conveying pipe and other metal objects.

Prior art magnetic rolls are not well suited to conveying a variety of different objects having both large and small cross-sectional areas. The flanges of a magnetic roll, utilized for conveying an object having a large crosssectional area, will not provide the required support and magnetic flux distribution for an object having a relatively small cross-section. Conversely, the flanges of prior art magnetic rolls which are designed to convey objects of a relatively small cross-sectional area will not provide the necessary support and magnetic flux distribution for an object having a relatively large cross-sectional area. Thus, prior art magnetic rolls must often be removed from the conveyer, and replaced with a different roll, when objects of smaller or larger cross-sectional area are to be conveyed.

It is often desirable to have a different distribution of magnets, and consequently of magnetic flux when conveying objects of different cross-sectional areas. The optimum magnetic flux field for conveying objects of different crosssectional areas will vary with the size of the objects being conveyed. Consequently, the magnetic flux field should be variable to suit the characteristics of the particular object to be conveyed. In prior art devices, the location and number of magnets is fixed by the design of the particular magnetic roll. Thus, the magnetic field of prior art rolls could not be varied as the size and weight of the object conveyed varies. 1

The efficiency of prior art rolls is also reduced through the loss or short circuiting of the magnetic flux. Part of the magnetic flux, in prior art rolls, is transmitted between the poles of the magnetic roll through media other than the object conveyed. This flux is wasted, since it does not retain the object conveyed in operative contact with the magnetic roll.

A general object of this invention is to provide a magnetic roll which can be adjusted to hold objects of either a large or small cross-sectional area.

Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic roll in which the number and location of the permanent magnets may be varied to alter the distribution of magnetic flux.

Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic roll in which the flux losses are maintained at a minimum.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the magnetic roll as utilized in a conveyer mechanism for conveying can ends;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the conveyer apparatus of FIG. '1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the permanent magnet roll;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a modi fied form of the magnetic roll shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detailed cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism utilized in the conveyer rolls of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown one preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 conveyer apparatus, generally designated 10, is shown utilizing the magnetic roll of this invention. Such a conveyer may be utilized either as an upstacker for conveying can ends from a machine, such as 18, for applying the coating material to the can ends, or as a downstacker, for conveying the ends through a double seaming machine, as at 18. The conveyer apparatus 19 includes a frame 12 having mounted thereon a chute or trough 14 and a magnetic roll or wheel 16, the entire apparatus being shown secured to an associated operating machine 18 which may be a coateror a liner machine, for a can seamer or closer mechanism. A plurality of can ends 20 are shown arranged in the trough 14 extending over the magnetic wheel 16 onto the operating station 18.

When the conveyer apparatus functions as an upstacker, the can ends 20 are discharged from the coater machine at the operating station 18, and are thrust upward below the wheel 16. As each additional can end, with a newly applied sealing compound thereon, is inserted under the next preceding can end 20-, a vertical stack of can ends increases in height until the topmost ends 20 engage the flanges of the magnetic wheel 16. The wheel 16 is caused to rotate by the growth of the stack of ends 20 and conveys 1 the magnetically gripped ends 20 which extend radially from the wheel 16 one-quarter turn upwardly into the receiving end of the trough 14.

There is shown in FIG. 2 a second form of conveyer apparatus generally designated by the numeral 24. The conveyer apparatus 24 is a motorized upstacker that includes numerous parts similar to those previously described. A speed controlled electric motor 26 is secured to the trough 14. A sprocket 30 is secured to a shaft of the magnetic roll. It engages the continuous drive chain 28 which extends over a sprocket 32 mounted on the motor 26. By motorizing the upstacker 10 to rotate the magnetic wheel 16, the downward load due to the weight of the can ends 20 on the coater mechanism is substantially reduced. For a more complete disclosure of the conveyer mechanism reference should be had to my Patent No. 3,165,210, which issued on Jan. 12, 1965.

Two embodiments of the magnetic roll 16 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Many of the same elements are used in both FIGS. 3 and 4, and like elements will be designated by like numerals in both figures. The magnetic roll of FIG. 3 is particularly well adapted for use with a larger can end 20, while the magnetic roll of FIG. 4 is particularly well adapted for use with smaller can ends. It should be noted that the same general body structure 36 is utilized by both magnetic rolls in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Considering the magnetic roll of FIG. 3 in greater detail, the body member 36 includes two steel disks 38 and 40 which are located on the shaft 42. The steel disks 38 and 40 are of a magnetic steel, while the shaft 42 is of a non-magnetic material such as brass or nonmagnetic stainless steel. The spacer 44 is made of brass or other non-magnetic material and positions the two steel disks, 38 and 40, relative to each other on the shaft 42. The two end thimbles 46 are also made of a non-magnetic material and retain the steel disks 38 and 40 in abutting engagement with the brass spacer 44. The two steel disks of the body member 36 have two flanges 48 and 50 held in threaded engagement with the steel disks. The flange members 48 and 50 are made of a material which can be easily magnetized.

Directly adjacent to the two steel disks 38 and 40 are the magnets 52 and 54. These magnets are of a generally ring shape having an aperture in the center which is of a diameter to receive the brass spacer 44. Directly adjacent to the two magnets 52 and 54 are the steel rings 56 and 58 which serve as spacer members between the magnets 52 and 54 and the steel pole rings 60 and 62. The ring 64 which is located between the two steel pole rings 60 and 62 is made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or a non-magnetic stainless steel. The aluminum spacer ring 64 separates the two steel pole rings 60 and 62. The two steel body disks 38 and 40 have two steel bands 66 and 68 inserted in the slots 70 and 72 in the steel disks 38 and 40. The two steel bands 66 and 68 are made of a non-magnetic material such as a non-magnetic stainless steel and act as magnetic shields, as will be explained more fully later. The two steel pole rings 60 and 62 extend radially outward of the steel bands 66 and 68, and have two inner flange members 74 and 76 which are separated by the non-magnetic ring 64.

As is indicated in FIG. 3, the two magnets 52 and 54 are placed with their north poles adjacent to the two steel disks 38 and 40. Thus, the steel disks 38 and 40 will become magnetized and the flanges 48 and 50 will assume a north magnetic polarity. The south poles of the magnets 52 and 54 are positioned adjacent the steel spacer rings 56 and 58 which contact the steel pole rings 60 and 62. The two pole rings 60 and 62 will assume a south magnetic polarity. The two steel spacer rings 56 and 58 effectively space the two south poles of the magnets '52 and 54 from the magnetic pole flanges 74 and 76 the same distance that the flange members are from the north poles of the two magnets 52 and 54. Thus, the north magnetic poles of the flange members 48 and 50 will be of approximately the same magnetic strength as the south magnetic poles of the flanges 74 and 76. The substantially equal magnetic poles will all attract the can end 20 with about the same magnetic force and result in the can end 20 being evenly gripped between the flange members 48 and 50. While the magnets 52 and 54 have been shown with their north poles adjacent the steel disks 38 and 40, it is contemplated that they could be positioned with their south poles against the steel disks 38 and 40 with a corresponding change in the polarity of the flange members 48, 50 and 74, 76.

This arrangement of magnets and flange members, which act as effective magnetic poles, results in a flux distribution through the can end 20 which is substantially as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 3. The flange members 48 and 50 extend radially outward from the body 36 for a distance which is suflicient to enclose a relatively large segment of a can end 20 between the two flanges 48 and 50. Thus, the magnetic flux field will extend over slightly less than onehalf of the area of the can end 20. The two flanges 74 and 76, since they are separated by the non-magnetic ring 64, cause the magnetic flux field to be distributed in a more uniform manner over the surface of the can end 20.

The non-magnetic bands 66 and 68 act as magnetic shields and prevent the flux field from short-circuiting. The flux field will flow from the outer flange members 48 and 50 to the inner flange members 74 and 76 through the can end 20. The flux, due to the shielding action of the two bands 66 and 68, cannot flow directly from the north pole of the magnets 52 and 54 to the south pole of the magnets without flowing through the can end 20. Thus, the strength of the magnetic field which holds the can ends 20 is enhanced by the magnetic shields 66 and 68 and by the fact that the flange members 50 enclose a large sector of the can end within the inner surfaces of the two flange members.

The two flange members 48 and 50 may be adjusted longitudinally relative to each other by rotating them relative to the steel disks 38 and 40. The steel disks 38 and 40 have threads 80 and 82 which engage the threads 84 and 86 on the flange members 48 and 50. If a can member of a slightly smaller diameter than the one presently being handled by the magnetic roll 16 of FIG. 3 were to be conveyed, the gap between the two flange members 48 and 50 would be reduced. The inner surfaces 104 and 106 of the two flange members 48 and 50 would then contact the outer edge of the can end. The slope of the inner surface of the flanges 48 and 50 will cause the flanges, when moved toward each other, to engage the circumferential edge of the can end tangentially. In order to adjust the gap between the two flange members 48 and 50, it is merely necessary to loosen the two set screws 88 and 90, and their corresponding locking pins 92 and 94, and rotate the flange members 48 and 50 to form a gap of the desired size.

As is seen in FIG. 5, the two locking pins 90 and 94 engage recesses 98 which are spaced at predetermined locations on the inner surface of the flange members 48 and 50. The gap setting, for objects which are frequently conveyed, may be easily set by positioning the recesses 98 in the flange members at positions which correspond to the'desired gap. When the flange member 50 is positioned at the desired longitudinal location relative to the body member 36, the locking pin 94 will engage the recess 98. In a similar manner, the locking pin 92 will engage the recess 98 in the flange member 48 at the desired location. A plurality of recesses may be positioned at any number of desired locations on the surface of the flange members 48 and 50. Once the locking pins 92 and 94 have engaged their respective recesses, the set screws 88 and 90 may be tightened to hold the locking pins in position.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the magnetic roll of FIG. 3 provides a relatively strong magnetic field which will engage the surface of any object which is brought into contact with the magnetic roll 16. Flux field losses are prevented by the magnetic shields 66 and 68, so that the flux from the two magnets 52 and 54 will be forced to flow through the can end 20. Also, the flange members 48 and 50 of the magnetic roll are adjustable longitudinally with respect to each other, so that can ends of different diameters may be tangentially gripped by the inner surface of the flange members. Since there are no open gaps in the outer surface of the magnetic roll, it will be apparent that foreign matter, such as dust, dirt, and material clinging to the' objects conveyed, will not become entrapped in the surface of the magnetic roll 16 and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the two magnets. In addition, the magnetic roll 16 will be relatively easy to clean of any particles which should become attached to the roll.

In FIG. 4, a modified embodiment of the magnetic roll of FIG. 3 is shown. The embodiment of FIG. 4 is particularly efficient for the conveying of relatively small can ends. It should be noted that the two flanges 48 and 50 have been rotated 180 degrees relative to the position in which they were shown in FIG. 3. In the position of FIG. 4 the flange members 48 and 50 provide a relatively small gap for the enclosing of an article to be conveyed. The two flange members 48 and 50 of FIG. 4 may be adjusted longitudinally to predetermined positions as explained in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 3.

The sloping inner surfaces 100 and 102 on the flange members 48 and 50 as positioned in FIG. 4 will slidably engage objects of various diameters. It is apparent that the sloping surfaces 104 and 106 which are utilized to hold large objects and the relatively sharply sloping surfaces 100 and 102 make the flanges 48 and 50 adaptable for the conveying of objects of a relatively small diameter. Thus, the flanges may be adjusted longitudinally relative to the axis of the magnetic roll, so that the flanges will grip objects of various sizes. The flanges may also be rotated so that either the surfaces 100 and 102 or the surfaces 104 and 106 will be in tangential contact with the object conveyed.

In the magnetic roll shown in FIG. 4, the same steel disks 38 and 40, as are shown in FIG. 3, are utilized to hold the flange members 48 and 50. The brass spacer 44 also is the same as was used in the embodiment of FIG. 3. The embodiment of FIG. 4 ditfers from that of FIG. 3 in the use of five magnets 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 instead of the two magnets 52 and 54 of FIG. 3. As will be explained more fully, this embodiment is particularly well suited for handling objects of a relatively small diameter.

The magnets 108 and 114 are placed adjacent to the steel disks 38 and 40. It should be noted that the north pole of the magnet 108 is adjacent to the steel disk 38, while the south pole of the magnet 114 is adjacent to the steel disk 40. The magnet 110 is placed with its north pole adjacent to the south pole of the magnet 108, and similarly the magnet 112 is placed with its south pole adjacent the north pole of the magnet 114. The steel pole rings 118 and 120 are placed adjacent to the magnets 110 and 112. The steel pole ring 118 will, since it is adjacent to the south pole of the magnet 110, assume a south magnetic polarity while the steel pole ring 120, since it is adjacent to the north pole of the magnet 112, will assume a north magnetic polarity. The central magnet 116 is placed with its south pole adjacent to the south pole of the steel pole ring 118 and its north pole adjacent to the steel pole ring 120.

It is apparent from FIG. 4 that the two flange members 48 and 50 will assume opposite magnetic polarities, that is, the flange member 48 will assume a north magnetic polarity, while the flange member 50 will assume a south magnetic polarity. The flux field will, as shown in FIG. 4, flow between the outer two flange members 48 and 50. The flux will also flow between the two inner flange members 122 and 124, of the pole rings 118 and 120, and the two outer flange members 48 and 50. Inaddition, there will also be a flux path between the two inner flanges 122 and 124. Thus, almost the entire surface area of the relatively small can end 20 will be closed by the magnetic field from the magnetic poles 48, 50, 122 and 124.

There non-magnetic stainless steel bands 126, 128, 130 are utilized as magnetic shields for the magnets 108 to 116. The magnetic shield member 126 is inserted into the slot 72 in the inner surface of the steel disk 38. The steel 6 band 126 engages a similar slot in the steel pole ring 118. The steel bands 128 and 130 are mounted in the same manner in slots in the steel disk 40 and the steel pole rings 118 and (see FIG. 4).

As is apparent from the foregoing description of the magnetic roll shown in FIG. 4, a relatively strong and compact magnetic flux field is obtained by the arrangement of magnets and pole pieces. This flux field is particularly well adapted for gripping and holding a relatively small member. Thus, by the addition of a few components, the magnetic roll of FIG. 3 may be converted into the magnetic roll shown in FIG. 4.

It is contemplated that a different arrangement from that shown in either FIGS. 3 or 4 could be utilized with the body member 36 of the magnetic roll shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the spacers 56 and 58 of FIG. 3 could be replaced by magnets, or the central magnet 116 of FIG. 4 could be replaced by a non-magnetic spacer. Various other changes in structure, will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood to be forming the invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A permanent magnet roll for a conveyor, said roll comprising rotatable shaft means; a pair of magnetizable members mounted in spaced apart relation on said shaft means; a non-magnetizable member mounted on said shaft means between said magnetizable members; flange means including first and second disc-shaped flange members of a magnetizable material, each one of said disc shaped members being concentrically mounted on a respective one of said magnetizable members, said discshaped flange members extending radially outwardly from said magnetizable members a predetermined distance, and said flange members being selectively adjustable to position first predeterminedly shaped surfaces inwardly toward each other to convey therebetween articles of a first size and to position second predeterminedly shaped surfaces in'wardly toward each other to convey therebetween articles of a second, smaller size; a pair of magnetizable pole rings mounted concentrically on said nonmagnetizable member in spaced apart relation, each said pole ring being axially spaced a like distance from one of said magnetizable members, said pole rings extending radially outwardly from said non-magnetizable member, a distance substantially less than that of said flange members; permanent magnet means located between each said pole ring and an adjacent corresponding magnetizable member for magnetizing said pole rings and said flange members mounted on said magnetizable members with a predetermined magnetic polarity; and non-magnetic shielding means extending axially between each said pole ring and said adjacent magnetizable member for concentrating the magnetic field produced by said permanent magnet means.

2. A permanent magnet roll as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer perimeter of each said magnetizable member is threaded and wherein the inner perimeter of each said flange member is threaded, whereby said flange members are screwed onto respective magnetizable members and thereby adjusted axially therealong, and wherein said flange members are reversibly mountable on said magnetizable members to selectively position said first or second predeterminedly shaped surfaces inwardly toward one another.

3. A permanent magnet roll as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said pole rings is provided with a polarity opposite from that of the other of said pole rings and wherein one of said flange members is provided with a polarity opposite from that of the other of said flange members, and also opposite from that of the correspond ing one of said pole rings.

4. A permanent magnet roll as claimed in claim 1 wherein said permanent magnet means provides said pole rings with a magnetic polarity opposite from that of said flange members.

5. A permanent magnet roll as claimed in claim 1 wherein said permanent magnet means includes discshaped permanent magnets located between each said pole ring and an adjacent flange member, and wherein said disc-like magnets are mounted concentrically on said non-magnetic member.

6. A permanent magnet roll as claimed in claim 5 wherein said permanent magnet means further includes a disc-shaped permanent magnet located between said pole rings for aidingin providing said pole rings with opposite polarities.

7. A permanent magnet roll as claimed in claim 1 further including between said pole rings a non-magnetic ring member mounted concentrically on said non-magnetic member.

8. A magnetic roll for a conveyor, said magnetic roll comprising: first and second annular, axially spacedapart members of a magnetizable material; first magnet means mounted adjacent to said first member for magnetizing said first member with a first magnetic polarity; second magnetic means mounted adjacent to said second member for magnetizing said second member with a second magnetic polarity; third and fourth annular,

axially spaced-apart members of a magnetizable mate- L ond members whereby a channel for reception of metallic articles is provided and a magnetic field extending bel8 tween said first and second members may be achieved to attract said metallic articles to be conveyedfand third magnet means mounted intermediate said/third and fourth members, said third m ember bein g "magnetized with the second magnetic polarity'by 'saidfirst'and third magnet means to provide a magnetic field extending be; tween said firstand third members, saidfo'ui'thjmember being magnetized with the first magnetic" polarity by said second and third magnet means'to provide a mag netic field extending between said second and fourth members.

References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,626,310 1/1953 Hodgson L 3-35301 3,059,156 10/1962 Moriya -335-301 639,062 12/1899 Kreuser; 1,369,516 2/1921 Bethke.

1,529,570 3/1925 Bethke. r 1,937,991 12/1933 Stearhs 19841 2,020,652 11/1935 Lennox 29-.-125 X 2,221,785 11/1940 Douglas. i 2,588,085 3/1952 Clouse 198-+41 3,164,269 1/1965 Roosevelt 198'41'X 3,165,210 1/1965 Mojden et a1. 214 7 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner LEON G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner US. 01. X.R. 1 214 7, 8.5; 335236, 301, 302 

